Trip to Switzerland

Swiss Native Judy Mudrak is organizing a trip to Switzerland for 12-15 healthy interested members of the Weston A. Price Foundation.

Friday July 21, through August 4, return flight Saturday August 5, 2006.

Come see the cows, goats and sheep, meet the mountain farmers! See modern vs. alpine cheese making, taste it all, attend Swiss festivals! Guided alpine plant walks bread baking and much more! Visit various regions including the Loetschental and the Swiss Federal Research Institute (dairy, food and farming). Share a meal with research scientists, listen to their studies/findings.

Length of trip: 2 weeks and 2 days, arrival in Switzerland should be Friday July 21, through August 4, return flight Saturday August 5, 2006. You will book your own flight. We’ll meet at our first overnight stay near Zurich, Switzerland.

Visit traditional cheese making in Switzerland while it is still alive!

This trip will be on the first come first serve basis. At this time a $150.00 down payment is due (check), refundable until further notice, to reserve your spot. Please provide self addressed, stamped envelope for return check.

Suggestions on what to bring: Travel light as possible!

*one suitcase with wheels if possible (with small locks for inland privacy only), we must walk short distances; 1 med. knapsack large enough to hold travel papers/wallet, a change of clothes/night clothes for alpine stays. A tiny key ring flashlight. Bring your camera but not valuables.

*The weather is unpredictable and temperatures can vary greatly. Please bring a foldable light weight but full length hooded raincoat to cover you and your knapsack. Also a warm (lightly insulated) hooded windbreaker jacket.

*Above the ankle walking shoes, a back up above ankle walking shoes, and perhaps a pair of sneakers (I’m not.. too heavy!) should be sufficient. Older ‘walked in’ shoes would be perfect. (remember blisters!) May want to have a pair of ‘flip flops’, when using shared showers.

*Bring layers of clothing. (8?)tank tops, (8?)shirts with some sleeves and 2 warm long sleeve shirts. About 3 pairs of lightweight pants is all you need, 2 of them should be convertible, zippered at the knees, so they can serve as shorts if needed. Check the 2nd hand shops, I found some great lightweight windproof deals! (jeans are heavy!) No shorts needed. 8 sets of underwear and socks. We can wash clothes.

*For sleeping: 1 light, one long sleeve medium weight, 1 warm PJ or sweat suit. It can get cool at night in the Alps. Male/female sharing room(s).

*Two sm or md bathroom towels/washcloths needed for showers (not supplied!) and amenities, 1/8th roll of toilet paper for your knapsack in zip lock bag, and maybe a convertible 110/220 hairdryer. We should be able to take showers almost every day, but you may want to bring a light hat/cap for ‘Hat Day’? or the intense sun. Four good size plastic bags, just in case for dirty/wet clothes/shoes, keep one in knapsack, along with a 2 yard emergency string.

You may want to do what I always do: I carry 2 small ‘seal well’ Tupper wares in my knapsack for raw alpine butter (4oz), milk/cream (8oz or so) for later enjoyment, couple zip lock bags. The Swiss don’t take Discover Card and only Euro MC, Visa is best. Call before your departure and let them know of your trip, make sure your card will work over there! If possible take more then one card, just in case. Smaller stores and farmers take only cash. You will need a valid passport.

You will receive a Swiss Rail Pass weeks before departure for public transportation.

Notice: most Swiss eat the big meal of the day at lunch.

Day 1 Friday 21: Arrival in Zurich, Switzerland. Use Swiss pass for train to Jona (Rapperswil) and bus to Busskirch. Then a 10 minute walk to Hostel on the lake of Zurich. Jona. Rest up!

Day 2 Saturday 22: Wilhelm Tell historical tour: The beginning of ‘free Switzerland’ anno 1291 on the lake of Lucerne with an old-fashion steamboat. Lunch on a Swiss farm. Jona stay

Day 3 Sunday 23: Watch the whole mass production of the world famous Appenzell cheese, from grass/herbs or hey fed cows. Visit the historical museum. Jona stay

Day 4 Mon 24: Visit the only creators of this aromatic and spicy cheese. For centuries the same recipe has been used to create Schabziger. Find out what makes this cheese so green in color with such strong herb taste. Tasting. Alp walk with raw dairy stop. Elm Mountain Well? VS stay